The Northrop M2-F2 lifting body aircraft crash landed in what has, perhaps, become the most watched aircraft disaster thanks to the TV show The Six Million Dollar Man. But Amy Shira Teitel can tell the story much better than I can:
Here’s the famous introduction:
First production model of Project Mercury spacecraft was successfully launched from NASA Wallops Station to test escape, landing, and recovery systems. Known as the “beach abort” shot, the Mercury capsule reached 775 m before parachute landing and pickup by Marine helicopter returned it to Wallops’ hangar 17 minutes after launch.
STS-30 Landing
After waking up to the Beetle’s A Hard Day’s Night, the STS-30 crew landed the shuttle Atlantis at Edwards AFB in California. Minutes before landing, the runway had to be switched from 17 to 22 due to high crosswinds. The mission lasted a total of 4 days and 56 minutes.
The mission included launching the first U.S. planetary science mission launched since 1978, the Magellan probe toward Venus. It was the 4th shuttle launch since the Challenger Disaster and the first shuttle mission since the disaster to have a female astronaut on board (Mary Cleave, PhD, PE).
Dyna-Soar X-20 and it’s pilots
The US Air Force Aircraft Research and Design Center (ARDC) headquarters issued System Requirement 201, declaring the purpose of the Dyna-Soar vehicle was to determine the military potential of a boost-glide weapon system and provide research data on flight characteristics up to and including global flight. The Air Force disagreed with the position of the Secretary of Defence’s office that Dynasoar be limited to suborbital research flights.
Lunar landing research vehicle (LLRV) No. 1 crashed at Ellington Air Force Base, Tex. The pilot, astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, ejected after losing control of the vehicle, landing by parachute with minor injury (he bit his tongue hard enough to make it bleed). Estimated altitude of the LLRV at the time of ejection was 60 meters. LLRV No. 1, which had been on a standard training mission, was a total loss – estimated at $1.5 million. LLRV No. 2 would not begin flight status until the accident investigation had been completed and the cause determined (one of the thrusters failed).
First Mercury Launch
On this day, in 1961, astronaut Alan B. Shepard, Jr., made the first United States manned space flight in a Mercury spacecraft launched from Cape Canaveral atop the Mercury-Redstone 3 (MR-3) vehicle. “Freedom 7” completed the suborbital, ballistic flight without incident in this historical first mission of NASA’s Project Mercury.
Jim Sparks and I had a wonderful day driving our MX-5s (“Miata” to most) for a lunch at O’Neal’s Country Buffet in Thomasville, GA. Evidently, Jim had invited several First Coast Miata Club members, but I was the only one to accept. It was about twice as long as a normal club ride, so that was probably a factor. They’re loss – it was a fantastic ride! Jim brought his wife Gail with him, and of course, I was joined by my wife, Anna.
Jim’s got a way with planning routes, thanks to many years involvement with motorcycle clubs. No, not the 1% clubs. Not a biker – a motorcyclist. He knows the area like nobody else I’ve met in the 20 years I’ve lived in Jacksonville. I’m always amazed at the countryside Jim takes us through.
So we met yesterday in Whitehouse, FL. and set out just after 9:30 AM, heading west on US-90. A CSX freight train entering Baldwin Yard from Callahan blocked our path, and didn’t look to be in any hurry. Thinking fast, Jim quickly rerouted us adding about 20 miles to his original plan. Beats sitting in the car watching autoracks creep by one by one for 20 minutes!
We saw plenty of wildlife. A lot of road kill with buzzards trying to clean up the mess, but we also got to see two Toms (make turkeys) facing each other off in the middle of the road vying for the rights to a nearby hen. We also got to see a coyote run across the road. I had no idea coyotes were in this part of Georgia. There was an abundance of roadside wildflowers, with buttercups and some sort of blue/purple flower I couldn’t identify.
Lunch was fantastic. Well worth the drive. Cost was moderate, and the food was fresh, even for our late lunch. And why not? There was a farmer’s market right next door! We topped off our lunch with home made Cinnamon rolls, and then headed to the farmers market to walk off our lunch and get some fresh fruit and vegetables to bring home.
Return Route by Jim Sparks.
That put us into Welborn, FL for a pitstop. From here, there were a few back roads into Lake City, then down US-90 until we hit I-10 for a quick dash back to Jacksonville to beat the rain. I peeled off I-10 taking FL 23 – the “outer beltway” under construction, to head home. Jim and I exchanged waves and a few friendly chirps from our horns as I peeled off I-10 as he continued on into town.
Anna and I had a lot of fun. Not only all these wonder full back roads, great food, wonderful cars to drive them, but we sincerely enjoyed Gail and Jim’s company on this trip.
In 1988, Key Imports brought us this Alco C-415 in HO scale. Made by FM models in Korea, it’s been a prized locomotive for Southern Pacific modelers.
I bought a pair of SP Key C-415s when they were new in 1988 for about $260 each. The seller is correct that these are great running units; I’ve used the pair of them for heavy switching in the shows at our club every year since then. They’re a pleasure to operate. – John Rodgers, Southern Pacific Railroad List (Yahoo Group), 14. August 2006
This model is factory painted. I added Kadee #5 couplers, and styrene in the numberboards, but I never got around to putting numbers in it. This model does not have DCC, but should be easy to install. There is no box – it was lost when I moved from California to Florida. I will pack appropriately for shipping.
Asking $250, shipped within the US by USPS Priority Flat Rate. Contact me for PayPal information.
The stock horn on the MX-5 has a rather pathetic “meep meep” sound similar to the old Road Runner cartoon character. Now, I’m a fan of the Road Runner – it was a childhood favorite of mine, but on a car? To steal from the old motorcycle maxim, “loud horns save lives.” The louder the better, unless you’re one of those who love to scare people with your locomotive duty air horns. Nathan P3 anyone, for that classic Southern Pacific sound? Not in my neighborhood, please. Clay County Sheriffs are on the lookout, you, for your black F-150 4×4. You know who you are. Cut it out!
These Hella Supertones are a very popular upgrade for MX-5/Miata owners, as well as Subaru tuners.
However, the horn is also used by the car’s alarm system. I didn’t want the Supertones to blast in my neighborhood. Especially not late at night. So the solution is actually quite simple. This article by Tim Moran got me thinking. However, his horns needed a lot more power. The Supertones run just fine on the MX-5s stock 15 Amp circuit, but Tim’s draw quite a bit more. So, I could save one relay.
With the ignition off, the horn circuit, including the alarm system, activates the stock horn. With the ignition on, the relay reroutes power to the Supertone horns. Now, most people just replace the stock horn, which is fine. I think I went overboard. The numbers refer to the pin numbers on a Bosch Automotive type relay:
Bosch Automotive Type Relay
The IGN (ignition on) source is the same I used for my Fog Lamp Upgrades for the Mazda MX-5 (Miata). The instructions are summarized here. The actual connection is shown here:
IGN power source. When the ignition is on, this point has power that can be used to trigger other circuits. This is deep in the fuse box.
Left to Right, myself, Francine Juhlin, Secretary, JAX of All Trades club, and James Fawthrop, VP-Education, Orange Park Toastmasters – Photo courtesy Nathan Scherer
I just gave my 10th speech with Toastmasters International, qualifying as “Competent Communicator.” This is the first major achievement in Toastmasters International, and I did it in just over 6 months.
Well, sort of. I did my first three speeches years ago. But when the JAX of All Trades Toastmaster Club started last June, I joined as a charter member, and started all over again. Good thing, as I’d lost all my skills and gave my first speech with all the rookie mistakes possible. This makes me the first person in JAX of All Trades to achieve “Competent Communicator.”
The 10 speeches concentrate on developing specific competencies, such as speech organization, use of the stage, gestures, and so on. The goal is simply to make you competent – not the next Dalai Lama or Steve Jobs. You’re not going to be a keynote speaker, but are able to overcome the fear of public speaking, and not make a fool of yourself in the process.
I’m also a member of the Orange Park Toastmasters, for whom I am grateful for all the help and encouragement they’ve given me, and for helping out with the JAX of All Trades club. 
